Wood Mizer LT40HD hydraulic pumps

thegoodlife · August 27, 2019, 09:51:45 PM

Hi all from New Zealand,

This might be my first post but I've been lurking for sometime & have gained plenty of experience from many posts on FF. Thanks all.

I'm running a 1998 LT40HD super. I bought it a couple of years ago after it sat for quite a few years unused. It was changed from electric stationary about 10 years ago to diesel portable by WM I believe. Probably not too many hours on the Kubota, the hour meter reads 1580 now but I suspect it's either been around the clock or the meter was changed when the engine was installed.

I refitted a debarker as the original had been removed.

I did install Accuset 2 a couple of months ago as the old Setworks was erratic and the display went bad - could sell the parts cheap to someone who wants to keep their setworks going.

Everthing is running really sweet except the hydraulics are slow, the motors are running really slow. In fact they are pulling the voltage down to 7v on the solenoids. Negligible voltage drop on the rail and across the solenoids. I'm trying to use hydraulics as little as possible so I can finish milling the Lawson Cypress logs in my yard. The motors smell burnt when I use them.

I shoe horned some brushes in one of the motors but the windings are discolored and one of the pumps are considerably noisier than the other.

WM NZ wants to sell me complete pumps/tanks/motors which I will do if it is the best option.

What I am considering is installing an upgrade. Preferably a single 12v motor option. Power is not in the yard & I'd prefer not to run another motor petrol or otherwise for a hydraulic power pack.

Anyone have any idea on the specs of the current pumps/motors and an aftermarket replacement? Does not need to be a bolt in replacement. I'm very comfortable fabricating to fit an upgrade.

Maybe there's already a thread that covers the subject but I've not been able to find it.

Thanks everyone.

Magicman · August 27, 2019, 10:09:24 PM

Personally I would install two new WM pump assemblies and be trouble free for many years to come.

Dave Shepard · August 28, 2019, 08:16:26 AM

I wouldn't reengineer the pumps. If they are that bad, then it's time to replace them. Drawing thre voltage down can have adverse affects on other systems on the mill.

Crusarius · August 28, 2019, 09:15:09 AM

I would love to know if anyone comes up with any options since I would like to add hydraulics to my mill.

pineywoods · August 28, 2019, 09:50:48 AM

I know one fella who ran a couple of temp hoses from his mill over to the aux hydraulic outlets on his farm tractor. Not really practical long term, but would get you by until better fix. I considered doing the same thing only use a log splitter.

Stuart Caruk · August 28, 2019, 06:18:37 PM

A buddy gave me a complete hydraulic pump setup from an LT40 that was sitting in his barn. I found out later that it was probably there for a reason as the pump died within a couple weeks. I use it to run my log deck and it quit on a Saturday. I called a buddy who does electric motor repair and took it over. He ordered up a new motor for it as it wasn't worth fixing.

On Monday I called Woodmizer and they had the pump/motor assemblies in stock for $360 or so. I went over to pick teat up and had it installed in about an hour. a couple weeks later my other unit was fixed for a cost of about $380. Just go buy the new motor/pumps from Woodmizer... they are a pretty good deal.

Magicman · August 28, 2019, 08:58:33 PM

I also spent some good money on bad pumps. They gave me good service for over 15 years so let the dead stay dead. That is less than $50 bucks per year.

woodyone.john · August 29, 2019, 05:47:25 PM

I could be interested in your old artworks.
Contact me on 0226192025
Cheers john

thegoodlife · August 30, 2019, 04:25:33 AM

Quote from: Magicman on August 28, 2019, 08:58:33 PM
I also spent some good money on bad pumps. They gave me good service for over 15 years so let the dead stay dead. That is less than $50 bucks per year.

For some reason things including parts for Wood Mizer are much more expensive in New Zealand. Part of it sometimes is the freight costs. Most often I can buy direct from overseas much cheaper than locally. WM NZ wants $920NZD per pump. If there's not a better option that I can buy at a reasonable price then WM pumps will probably be the way to go.